Hello and welcome to today's LIVE Hull City blog, bringing you all of the latest transfer news and gossip on all things Black and Amber.

Matthew Connolly is understood to have passed his medical ahead of joining the Tigers for the remainder of the season.

The Cardiff City defender agreed to join the Tigers on loan late last week and is now all set to become the club’s first new arrival of the January transfer window.

He is due to be unveiled as a City player today.

Elsewhere, we'll be comparing the Tigers of today with the promotion-winning squad of 2008 - do they have the same attributes to go all the way again?

Updates will load below, thanks for joining us!

20:14

Recap

That’s all from us for today.

We’ll leave you with a recap of today’s main stories.

For any Hull City side wanting to make a late dash towards the Championship play-offs, comparisons will always be drawn to the history-making Class of 2007-08.

Phil Brown’s team went where none in City colours had gone before, rising from mid-table anonymity at Christmas to clinch a top-six finish that would become their eventual route to the Premier League.

The grandest of days out at Wembley saw promotion clinched with an emotional play-off final win over Bristol City but turn the clock back 11 years the Tigers were much the unfancied outsiders.

In the middle of January Brown’s side were exactly where City currently find themselves in the Championship and 10th.

Read more below

Comparing Hull City's teams of 2008 and 2019

Hull City class of 2008 vs 2019.

Hull City star Jarrod Bowen has discussed the speculation linking him with Premier League sides including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Hull City manager Nigel Adkins (left) talks to Jarrod Bowen

Hull City midfielder Jackson Irvine has helped Australia through to the last 16 of the Asian Cup, ensuring he will not return to East Yorkshire for at least another week.

Jackson Irvine of Australia and his team mates celebrate

A storm likened to the ‘Beast from the East’ could wreak havoc on English football this weekend according to forecasters.

A cold snap is expected this weekend

Hull City’s proposed deal to sign Matthew Connolly is in doubt after talks over the defender’s loan move hit a stumbling block this morning.

Matthew Connolly of Cardiff City (Image: Getty)

When John Davies signed a one-month loan with Hull City in February 1980, he could never have imagined what would come next.

Even the two-year deal signed later than summer, ending his time with boyhood club Cardiff City, gave no indication of the long association about to stretch out before him.

Yet for the thick end of four decades – just shy of 39 years to be precise – it has been a working life dedicated to the Tigers.

John Davies, left, is presented with a commemorative shirt by Dean Windass ahead of Saturday's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday following 38 years of service to Hull City (Image: Hull City)

20:11

Blackburn game update

Newcastle United are currently 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, so as things stand City’s game at Blackburn on Saturday January 26th will go ahead as planned.

18:17

The life and times of John Davies

Hull City lost one of their most loyal servants when John Davies stepped down from his post with the Tigers Trust last month.

The former goalkeeper spent the best part of 40 years with the club. We met John this morning to reflect on a fine career.

Former Hull City goalkeeper John Davies, pictured in 1981, made 27 appearances for the club before injury forced his retirement at the age of 28.

John Davies, second from the right, helps to welcome Queen Elizabeth to Hull at the Noddle Hill Youth Centre in 1999.

John Davies, left, is presented with a commemorative shirt by Dean Windass ahead of Saturday's 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday following 38 years of service to Hull City (Image: Hull City)

17:55

Cardiff captain admitted to hospital

Might this be the reason Matthew Connolly’s loan to Hull City has hit the rocks?

The BBC are reporting that Cardiff captain Sean Morrison was admitted to hospital for a “procedure” ahead of a crucial game away to Newcastle United.

One to keep an eye on.

17:52

Curry rated

And here’s what our sister site in Grimsby think of Curry’s performance today.

Adam Curry (trialist) – 7/10

A solid showing from the young Hull City defender, who looked to have a good understanding with his team-mates for the day despite only being on trial. Certainly worth consideration based on his performance.

Beginning of the end for Curry?

Hull City defender Adam Curry is out of contract at the end of this season and it seems the writing is appearing on the wall.

The 21-year-old has begun a trial period with Grimsby Town and featured in their reserve team defeat to Port Vale this afternoon.

Our colleagues at Grimsby Live snapped Curry in action.

Hull City defender Adam Curry was allowed to turn out for Grimsby Town reserves in their 3-1 defeat at home to Port Vale (Image: Rick Byrne / Grimsbylive)

16:30

Beast From the East 2: The revenge

A cold snap is expected this weekend

15:53

Jackson Irvine's return delayed

Hull City midfielder Jackson Irvine has helped Australia through to the last 16 of the Asian Cup.

Jackson Irvine of Australia and his team mates celebrate

Tomas Rogic (C) celebrates his sides second goal with Jackson Irvine and Mark Milligan during the AFC Asian Cup Group B match between Australia and Syria at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium

15:13

Latest Championship rumours

We’re now over 2 weeks into the January transfer window and clubs are still frantically trying to do deals in the Championship.

Whether it’s strengthening a weak side in danger of relegation or a team chasing that elusive promotion to the big time, everyone is ready to do business be it in or out.

With that in mind we’ve rounded up the latest and greatest rumours circling the internet and put them all in one place. So, without further ado, here are today’s Championship rumours.

Josh Brownhill of Bristol City (Image: Getty)

15:07

Leeds may be in a bit of trouble

14:34

Adam Curry having a trial

Hull City defender Adam Curry is having a trial with Grimsby Town, with the League Two side taking a look at the centre-half.

Here’s a reminder of Curry’s path to the City squad.

Adam Curry walks out at Bramall Lane ahead of his Hull City debut against Sheffield United (Image: Focus)

13:50

This highlights Hull City's strong form

The Tigers have fared better than any other Championship side in Yorkshire derbies this season.

Hull City's Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring the first goal against Leeds United

12:44

Full story on Connolly

Matthew Connolly of Cardiff City (Image: Getty)

12:18

Doubts over Connolly

We’d been expecting Matthew Connolly to be unveiled as a Hull City player today but that will no longer be happening.

Word has reached us that the proposed deal has hit a stumbling block and Connolly, for now, will be returning to Cardiff City.

More as we get it.

HULL CITY LIVE: Matthew Connolly. (Image: PA)

12:15

Irvine ready for action

Jackson Irvine has been named in Australia’s starting XI for their final Asian group game against Syria in Al-Ain.

A reminder that a draw will be good enough for Australia to progress, thus ruling Irvine out of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

Jackson Irvine in action for Australia (Image: Getty)

12:01

City boss Adkins hails 'outstanding' defensive pairing

Hull City head coach Nigel Adkins has praised his “outstanding” new defensive partnership of Reece Burke and Jordy de Wijs following their miserly return of three consecutive clean-sheets.

Burke and De Wijs came back together for City’s 2-0 win away to league-leaders Leeds United at the end of last month and the two summer signings have since gone from strength to strength.

Neither Bolton Wanderers nor Sheffield Wednesday were able to record a single shot on target as the Tigers made it six league wins on the bounce, a run that has hauled City to within four points of the Championship’s play-offs.

A trip to Aston Villa this weekend will pose another big test of the Tigers’ rapid improvements and could see De Wijs and Burke coming up against former team-mate Tommy Elphick.

(Image: Focus )

The experienced centre-half is back in Villa’s side after a successful loan spell with City but Adkins is more than content with his new-look pairing.

Championship transfer news round-up

Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen has discussed the speculation

Hull City star Jarrod Bowen has discussed the speculation linking him with Premier League sides including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a rapid ascent over the last two seasons which has seen him grab the attention of clubs across the country.

After bagging 14 league goals last term, the winger has already netted 13 times in 27 Championship matches this season.

Despite reported interest from the top tier, nothing formal has been offered to City and the club remain steadfast in their aim to retain Bowen. The player himself, whilst flattered, says he is committed to the Tigers.

Read more below.

Hull City manager Nigel Adkins (left) talks to Jarrod Bowen

09:02

This is a lot harder than you think!

We want to know who features in your composite Hull City XI.

Hull City class of 2008 vs 2019.

08:01

Connolly scouting report

We are expecting Hull City to land Matthew Connolly from Cardiff today. All the news in this rolling blog as and when we get it.

In the meantime, here is a scouting report on the defender.

Cardiff City's Matthew Connolly in action against QPR last January

07:52

Feature analysis from Philip Buckingham

Comparing Hull City's teams of 2008 and 2019

07:41

Connolly set to become a Tiger today

Matthew Connolly is understood to have passed his medical ahead of joining Hull City for the remainder of the season.

The Cardiff City defender agreed to join the Tigers on loan late last week and is now all set to become the club’s first new arrival of the January transfer window.

Confirmation of Connolly’s move is expected to come today and the switch is thought to be considered a formality after the player’s medical encountered no problems yesterday morning.

Connolly’s capture promises to provide head coach Nigel Adkins with another option for this weekend’s trip to play-off rivals Aston Villa but City are likely to give the new arrival chance to feed his feet in a season that has so far brought just one EFL Cup start in August.

Hull City are targeting Matthew Connolly of Cardiff City (Image: Getty)